Yeah? Who had $3101.00 back in 1968? I like the car and remember them. Back then I was making $1.25 an hour, I don't think I would have qualified for a loan... Nice car though and what cars cost today is way over price to their true value. Ya didn't have all the safety crap and airbags either.
While it was not being given away, still a good price for 1968 (for that vehicle), but you are right, most young guys would have had difficulty buying it and they did not have the financing plans then they have now.
Back in '71, when I was still racing the 1/4 mile, a guy with more money than brains shoehorned a 427 in a Vega, and didn't put a frame underneath... For those of you who don't understand the implications, the Vega was a Unibody design where the frame STOPPED short of the back seat (or shorter!) - this means that when the big-block romped and stomped, the Unibody twisted (!), and as a result the doors wouldn't close after 4 trips down the strip! Since the hinges for the door were precision welded and NOT adjustable, he was screwed. He took the door latches off, but eventually had to call it quits - we laughed at him the first time, and later, "I *told* ya so!!"
C'mon, todays cars are waaaay over priced compared to that! Never mind safety/quality debates - it is what it is, can't go back to 1968 and invent airbags....
So a stock Charger today sells for a Helluva lot more than 24k.... base starts around 40k, 50k by the time you buy the tires and rims and... Twice as much... and robots built it with chinese parts. We are so fucked in this country....
My father bought a ragtop in April Gold Poly, drove it a few years, then I hatched. Sold it to my staid Buick-driving (repeated color choices: blue or aqua) grandfather. A more odd pair. . .
That was my first car, bought it from the original owner, a woman that used to come into the gas station I worked at when I was in high school. $400 in the early 80's. Wish I still had, it was loaded, power; steering, brakes, windows, seat. It had AC, cruise control, 8 track player with reverb amp, dual gate shifter and probably a few options I've forgotten.
While the 60's were a bit premature for airbags, the general era certainly had them. You could get airbags in a 1973 Olds Toronado. Some early impalas had them too. I coulda Killed the morons at GM for terminating America's OLDEST car company when they discontinued Olds. Talk about Stupid!! So many great innovations and awesome rides by Olds over the century...
Yeah? Who had $3101.00 back in 1968? I like the car and remember them. Back then I was making $1.25 an hour, I don't think I would have qualified for a loan... Nice car though and what cars cost today is way over price to their true value. Ya didn't have all the safety crap and airbags either.
ReplyDeleteWhile it was not being given away, still a good price for 1968 (for that vehicle), but you are right, most young guys would have had difficulty buying it and they did not have the financing plans then they have now.
DeleteThat's approximately $24,000 in today's dollars. Not that much difference, actually.
ReplyDeleteThe Vega was $1,999 when it first came out in '70...
ReplyDeleteI'll let myself out.
More than a few Vegas had 350 engines stuffed under their hoods. And at least one was the recipient of a Jeep frame and drivetrain.
DeleteBack in '71, when I was still racing the 1/4 mile, a guy with more money than brains shoehorned a 427 in a Vega, and didn't put a frame underneath...
DeleteFor those of you who don't understand the implications, the Vega was a Unibody design where the frame STOPPED short of the back seat (or shorter!) - this means that when the big-block romped and stomped, the Unibody twisted (!), and as a result the doors wouldn't close after 4 trips down the strip! Since the hinges for the door were precision welded and NOT adjustable, he was screwed. He took the door latches off, but eventually had to call it quits - we laughed at him the first time, and later, "I *told* ya so!!"
C'mon, todays cars are waaaay over priced compared to that! Never mind safety/quality debates - it is what it is, can't go back to 1968 and invent airbags....
ReplyDeleteSo a stock Charger today sells for a Helluva lot more than 24k.... base starts around 40k, 50k by the time you buy the tires and rims and...
Twice as much... and robots built it with chinese parts. We are so fucked in this country....
Loved those old cars. What an era.
ReplyDeleteMy father bought a ragtop in April Gold Poly, drove it a few years, then I hatched. Sold it to my staid Buick-driving (repeated color choices: blue or aqua) grandfather. A more odd pair. . .
ReplyDeleteThat was my first car, bought it from the original owner, a woman that used to come into the gas station I worked at when I was in high school. $400 in the early 80's. Wish I still had, it was loaded, power; steering, brakes, windows, seat. It had AC, cruise control, 8 track player with reverb amp, dual gate shifter and probably a few options I've forgotten.
ReplyDeleteBias ply tires, good then, but not now suspension? Shudder, shudder.
ReplyDeleteWhile the 60's were a bit premature for airbags, the general era certainly had them. You could get airbags in a 1973 Olds Toronado. Some early impalas had them too. I coulda Killed the morons at GM for terminating America's OLDEST car company when they discontinued Olds. Talk about Stupid!! So many great innovations and awesome rides by Olds over the century...
ReplyDeleteAdd a zero on the end of that price to buy it today.
ReplyDelete